A MAN HAS appeared before a sitting of Cork District Court charged with the murder of a 31-year-old father of one. 

Jonathan Hennessy of Dr Patrick O’Sullivan Terrace, Upper Aghada, Co Cork is charged with the murder of Oleksandr Zhyvytsky.

The charge states that, “On 16 March 2026 at Knapp’s Square, Cork City in the District Court area of Cork City in District area 19, he did murder Oleksandr Zhyvytsky contrary to Common Law.”

Detective Garda Kevin Motherway of Watercourse Road Garda Station in Cork city gave evidence of the arrest, charge and caution of the 42-year-old. 

He said that Hennessy made no reply when the charge was put to him under caution at 4:25pm today at Mayfield Garda Station in Cork city. 

Court presenter Sgt John Dineen said that it was alleged that Mr Zhyvytsky suffered a stab wound to the chest during an altercation in Knapp’s Square in Cork city at 7:50pm on 16 March last.

He said that victim managed to make his way home, where he died. He was formally pronounced dead by a local doctor at 8:35pm last Monday. 

There was no bail application in the case as bail cannot be applied for at district court level when the charge is that of murder. 

Free legal aid was granted in the case as the only source of income of the accused is disability allowance. Defence solicitor Eddie Burke asked that his client receive medical attention in Cork Prison. 

Hennessy, who was wearing a black top and white pants, was not required to speak during the short hearing.  

He was remanded in custody to appear by video link before Cork District Court on 25 March next.  

Judge Mary Dorgan directed that he receive appropriate medical assessment and assistance whilst on remand in prison. 

Mr Zhyvytsky moved to Ireland from his native Ukraine when he was a young man. The married father of an infant lived in Camden Court apartments in Carroll’s Quay in Cork city. 

It is understood  that he went out to buy food and then came back home injured. He collapsed in front of his wife. The emergency services attended at the scene but attempts to save him failed

Mr Zhyvytsky was a metal fabricator by profession. Funeral arrangements will be finalised in the coming days.